1 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends and Findings February 21, 2006 Presented by Dan Nataf, Ph.D Director, Center for the Study of Local Issues Anne Arundel Community College 101 College Parkway Arnold, MD (410) (410) fax www2.aacc.edu/csli

2 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends and Findings The Center for the Study of Local Issues CSLI conducts public interest surveys each semester (since 1978) Respondents randomly chosen from universe of listed telephone numbers combined with computer generated numbers Typical sample size: respondents; students used as interviewers Each survey includes demographic and attitude/behavior questions Surveys themes include: –Growth/Development –Transportation –Economic conditions –Education –Tax and spending preferences –Policy preferences Visit CSLI’s web site for previous surveys (www2.aacc.edu/csli)

3 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends and Findings The Center for the Study of Local Issues: Web Site - Homepage

4 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends and Findings The Center for the Study of Local Issues: Web Site - Search page

5 Two Questions about Challenges for the next Decade –Main Economic Challenge –Main Environmental Challenge Are local authorities up to the challenges? Is the public confident in the ability of local authorities to respond to a disaster…? Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends Focus on the Future: Main Challenges

6 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Main Economic Challenge for the Next Decade Managing growth/development31% Providing affordable housing19 Providing proper skills/education for workers 19 Infrastructure, roads10 Providing enough jobs9 Govt budget probs/services3 Gas prices2 Taxes2 Other5

7 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Main Environmental Challenge for the Next Decade Water pollution in Bay and streams57% Air pollution8 Maintaining open/green areas8 Enforcing environmental laws4 Other (mostly managing growth)14 No answer9

8 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Confidence in/perceived preparedness of local authorities – meet challenges or terrorist strike/natural disaster Preparedness/ Confidence Econ.Environ.TerrorDisaster Very8711 Somewhat Not very No answer7634

9 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends How Prepared are Local Authorities in Event of Terrorist Strike - Trend

10 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends Most Important Issues Facing AA County Residents – Trends for Major Issues Growth Rises in Importance, Crime Drops

11 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends Most Important Issues – Economy, Environment NOT among Top Issues

12 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends Perception of Issues in 2010 Negative expectations for all major issues (except economy)

13 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends Economic Conditions in the County Spring 2002-Fall 2005 AA County economy outperforms nation

14 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Trends County’s Direction: Right or Wrong? Positive feelings affected by perceptions of the economy

15 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Gas Prices: How has Public Accommodated Higher Cost? Downsizing, Changing Habits Possible effectsAffectedNot affected No answer Decreased your amount of driving50 1 Made you reduce entertainment spending45541 Made you consider buying a more fuel efficient car42572 Made you use a more fuel efficient vehicle than the one you would normally Increased your use of bicycles or walking23743 Made you change your vacation plans last summer22771 Increased your use of car-pools21763 Increased your use of public transportation11863 Made you consider moving closer to your work11854

16 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Gas Prices: How does Public Perceive Causes? Producers’ Profits and Wrong Policies to Blame FactorVery important Somewhat important Not very important No Ans High profits by oil companies High profits by oil exporting countries Increased global demand for oil The lack of policies encouraging the use of renewable energy and fuel efficient cars Damage to oil production facilities in areas along the Gulf coast Excessive regulation preventing drilling or refining within the United States

17 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Gas Prices: How does Public Perceive Solutions? Renewal Energy, Hybrids and Transit Expansion Preferred PolicySupportOpposeNA Tax incentives for the use of wind or solar power78166 Tax incentives for the purchase of hybrid/highly fuel efficient vehicles Increasing bus and light rail service, even if it requires more subsidies from state government Making it easier to develop nuclear power plants with the state of Maryland Higher taxes on gasoline to encourage use of more fuel efficient vehicles 20764

18 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Support for Various State and Local Policies Yes to Another Bridge, Pollution Fee and Stem Cell Research PolicySupportOpposeNo answer An annual $60 fee dedicated only to correcting the impacts of storm water erosion and pollution in county streams and rivers Putting a large horse training and show facility in the Gambrills/Crownsville area Building a third bridge span across the Chesapeake Bay Lengthening the school day in county schools, at a cost of about $30 million State funding for embryonic stem cell research58348

19 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings President Bush’s Job Approval Slight Plurality Disapproves Do you approve of the job George W. Bush is doing as President? Approve 45% Disapprove 48% Unsure 7% Gallup ( ) Approve 37% Disapprove 60% Unsure 3% Those with ‘friend or family member currently serving in the military in Iraq or Afghanistan’ (39% of sample): Approve 48% Disapprove 45% Unsure 6% Without: Approve 42% Disapprove 51% Unsure 6% 9/11 Iraq Invasion Saddam

20 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings President Bush’s Job Approval Partisanship Rules! Do you approve of the job George W. Bush is doing as President? Approve : Democrats 20% Republicans 77% Independents: 40%

21 Public Opinion, Terrorism, Confidence - National Bush - % approving handling of war in Iraq

22 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings President Bush’s Job Approval Best Policies by Party Registration

23 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings President Bush’s Job Approval Worst Policies by Party Registration

24 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Party by Ideology

25 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Party by Age

26 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Party by Education

27 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Party by Income

28 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Party by Race

29 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Party by Religion

30 Public Opinion in Anne Arundel County: Recent Findings Party by Gender